INFLUENZA VACCINATIONS 2021-22

Posted by: darrenlodge - Posted on:

Influenza vaccinations are now available for all eligible patients, and we have begun contacting all patients by letter, text message and telephone.  This vaccine offers one of the most effective ways of reducing harm from flu and pressure on NHS and social care services during the winter.

We are vaccinating patients differently this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Last year we ran our Influenza vaccination clinics on Saturdays during October from the waiting area. This year we have planned clinics on the following dates:

  • Monday, 11 October from 5:00pm to 7:45pm
  • Wednesday, 13 October from 5:00pm to 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, 19 October from 12:30pm to 3:30pm

Check if you can have a vaccine at this website: http://bit.ly/BBSFlu

If we have asked you to book an appointment or you have confirmed you can have a vaccine visit Patient access at http://bit.ly/BBSBookFlu or telephone the surgery.  We have opened our telephone lines on Monday and Wednesday evenings to take bookings for Influenza vaccine appointments. If you would like to book online you can self-register to book your appointment.

When attending the surgery

The surgery has a designated route for patients to follow, and vaccine stations in the patient waiting area.  Our reception team will help direct patients to their vaccine station.  All staff will wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the clinic.

At your appointment, we ask all patients to:

  • Wear a face covering in the queue (if one forms) and at your appointment.
  • Attend alone, if possible.  We will allow a single carer or interpreter to attend with you if needed.
  • Wear as few layers of clothing as possible, this reduces the time to give you a vaccine.
  • Arrive at your appointment time – this reduces contact with others and the queue length.  If you arrive late we will ask you to rebook.
  • Use the hand sanitizer provided when you check in with us. 
  • Avoid touching surfaces if possible.
  • Leave the surgery after you have had your vaccine.

YOU MUST NOT ATTEND IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
  • a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual).
  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
  • or are awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.

Please rebook your appointment after your isolation period.  For the latest information and advice about the Coronavirus visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.

If you do not want a vaccination

If you have been invited for an influenza vaccination and do not want to take up the offer this year, please complete the form availableon this link.